Gathering Wood

Dear Diary,

Spring is a season of great activity.  Cleaning up after the long winter of storms is one of them.  Each year there are trees that finally succumb to the ice and heavy snow...like this old maple by the pond.  But it won't go to waste because this is also the season for gathering fire wood for next winter.  The man who helps me around the house will cut this up and bring it here to dry and be ready to burn in the wood stove.

Mainers are a practical lot and eagerly gather what nature provides each spring like the maple syrup and my favorite fiddle heads.  Soon it will be dandelion season and time to gather them to make wine.  We are so accustomed to just going to the store for things we need.  There was a time when what you had came mostly from your own efforts.

My genealogy research is giving me a great appreciation for the strength and resourcefulness of our ancestors.  I love this old WWII saying that is strangely appropriate for today especially since tomorrow is Earth Day:

Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.